Application Forms
Where do I find information on what jobs are available?
A list of current unclassified job opportunities with Cooperative
Extension can be found at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/hr/.
Jobs can be viewed by category (the four main program areas
of Cooperative Extension are Agriculture
& Natural Resources, Community,
Natural Resource & Economic Development, Family
Living, and 4-H
Youth Development) or by their location in the state.
You can also call the Cooperative Extension Personnel Office
at 608-263-1945 for information on what jobs are available.
What must I do to be considered for an opening with Cooperative
Extension?
Information on the application procedure and deadline for
a specific position will be included in the position announcement
on the web site. To be considered a viable applicant for a
Cooperative Extension position, it will be important for you
to:
- Write a cover letter that explains how your qualifications
meet the needs of the position(s). Please specify the
county name(s) and the complete job title(s) of the position(s)
for which you are applying.
- Provide a current resume that describes your academic
preparation (degrees, institutions, dates), as well as positions
held and your responsibilities/accomplishments. Please include
information that specifically relates to the position(s)
for which you are applying, such as technical knowledge,
educational programming experiences, community involvement,
volunteer development experiences, etc.
- Provide names and contact information for 3 references
who can best evaluate your qualifications and potential
for success in the position(s) for which you are applying.
- Provide official transcripts (if requested) for all post-secondary
(undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D.) academic work and completed
degrees. Initially, photocopies of the transcripts are acceptable;
however, the originals must be submitted prior to the final
interview.
Do I need to fill out an application form?
In most cases, it will not be necessary for you to fill out
an application form as long as you follow the application
procedure listed in the position announcement.
How long do I have to apply for a position?
Once a position has been advertised, applications are accepted
for approximately 30-45 days. The closing date for a particular
position will be listed in the position announcement on the
Personnel Office
website. Please make every effort to submit all of your
application materials by that time. You present the image
of a candidate who is very interested in a position when you
take responsibility for making sure all of your applicant
materials are received by the advertised review date.
Do I need to submit new application materials for each position?
What if I have applied for positions in the past?
One set of completed application materials can be used to
apply for multiple positions; however, for each position a
separate cover letter is required. If it has been more than
a year since you last applied, we encourage you to update
your resume and references to ensure that we have the most
current information about your qualifications and interest
in working for Cooperative Extension. Keep in mind that a
resume, cover letter, or reference, targeted at one particular
position may not fully support your qualifications for a position
with significantly different responsibilities. If you are
applying for positions that require different qualifications,
it is in your best interest to apply for each position with
a separate resume, cover letter, and references. Please call
the Personnel Office to check on the status of your file if
you have applied for positions in the past.
Who should I list as a reference?
The information we may ask of your references is used to
gain a better understanding of your overall qualifications.
This information in turn helps the screening committee decide
whom to invite to an interview. It is in your best interest
to select individuals who have first-hand and extensive knowledge
of you and your capabilities in a professional setting. For
example, friends, relatives, and colleagues who have known
you for only a short time are typically not as credible as
someone who has supervised you.
Should I address my cover letter to anyone in particular?
Since a number of individuals are involved in the screening
and interviewing process, there is no need to address your
cover letter to anyone in particular. A general salutation
such as "Dear Search Committee"is acceptable.
Where should completed application materials be sent?
Mail the completed materials to the Cooperative Extension
Personnel Office, 432 N. Lake Street, Room 249, Madison,
WI 53706-1498. You may also fax them to the Personal Office
at 608-262-9462 or email them to ces.jobs@ces.uwex.edu.
Is my application confidential?
Under Wisconsin Statutes, if asked, UW-Extension is required
to provide a list of all nominees and applicants who have
not requested in writing that their identities remain confidential.
You can request that your name not be released by completing
a confidentiality request form. This form will be sent to
you by the Personnel Office after we receive your application
materials. You can also print the form from http://www.uwex.edu/jobs/documents/notice.pdf.
The names of applicants/nominees recommended for final
consideration must be revealed upon request.
How are application materials used? How are candidates selected
for interviews?
A screening committee reviews each candidates application
materials. These reviewers have a good understanding of the
position, its major duties and essential job functions, as
well as the required and preferred qualifications. The reviewers
look at the materials submitted by each applicant to determine
the strength of the match between his or her qualifications
and the needs of the position. Those applicants with the strongest
match are invited to a preliminary interview. There may be
times when a strong enough match, between the qualifications
of a sufficient number of applicants and the needs of the
position, does not exist. In these situations, recruitment
is "extended"to create an opportunity for additional
candidates to apply. Recruitment may also be extended following
the preliminary interviews if the interview committee determines
there are not enough strongly qualified candidates to proceed
to the final round of interviews. In rare instances, a committee
may decide to change the position description and/or qualifications
in order to attract a sufficient number of qualified candidates.
If this is done, the position is "reposted", meaning
that the position will be advertised again. The University
of Wisconsin-Extension (UWEX) is not obligated to return resumes,
transcripts, letters of references, and other information
submitted with the application.
How can I find out about the status of my application?
If your application is incomplete, the Personnel Office will
notify you via letter. Please act as quickly as possible to
complete your application! You will also be sent a letter
following the initial screening to let you know how well your
qualifications meet the needs of the position(s) for which
you applied. Depending on your qualifications, you may or
may not be encouraged to apply for future positions with Cooperative
Extension. If you have been selected to participate in an
interview, you will be called to schedule a time with as much
advance notice as possible.
Is there a way for me to find out about other position openings
in the future?
Our position vacancy announcements are available at University
Placement Offices, the Cooperative Extension Personnel Office
and county Cooperative Extension Offices. Or, you can visit
our website at www.uwex.edu/ces/hr.
We will also add your name to our position vacancy mailing
list for those candidates who have the best qualifications
that will fit our needs.
What should I do if I have equal employment opportunity
concerns?
Direct inquiries concerning to the UWEX Equal Opportunity
Office, Room 501, 432 N. Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706 or
phone (608) 262-0277. |
Applicant
survey form
CE
Pre-Interview Questionnaire